Receiving an invitation to attend a job interview is exciting as you are one step closer to landing a great opportunity. Considering key tips for job interviews will help you to thoroughly prepare for your job interview and to be able to go into it feeling confident.
Taking the time to properly conduct research before an interview will enable you to perform at your best and prove to an employer that you are serious and enthusiastic about the opportunity. Your research can also give you the knowledge to stand out from your competition.
“Knowledge is power” – this is a phrase that could not be more true of an interview situation and here’s what you need to do:
1. Research the Company
The first port of call and one of the most obvious areas of research is the company that you are interviewing for. Visit their website and properly explore the information that they have on there. You may want to take down a few notes that you can look over shortly before commencing your interview so that they are fresh in your mind.
Do ensure that you look beyond the company website as well. Social media is another good place to look and you never know what other information you may be able to find out elsewhere on the internet.
Another good way to research the company is to visit one of their locations to really get a feel for the place. This is not always feasible, but if it is, it could really help you out and you may even get a chance to speak to other employees.
2. Research the Industry
If you have been working in an industry for a while then you will already have a solid knowledge about it. Make sure that you are aware of how the company that you are interviewing for fits into the industry and how they are different from their competitors.
If you are hoping to enter into a new industry, then find out as much as you can about it. You can then relate your industry knowledge back to the organisation you are interviewing for and find out how they work within it.
3. Research the Interviewer
It is not essential for you to know much about your interviewer but it may help you. Try to find out a bit about who they are and what their role is. You may be able to find them on the company website or on LinkedIn.
4. Show off your Research
Once you get into your interview be sure to show off what you know. You can show off your knowledge when answering questions and even drop it in when asking your own questions about the role or business. Try not to ask questions that you could have found the answers to by conducting research. You want the interviewer to know that you have taken the time and effort to really prepare for your interview.
Your research is not only important in preparing for your interview, it should also help you to decide whether the company is a good fit for you. Do you like their company culture? Do they offer the career progression and development opportunities that you want?
In any tips for job interviews that you can find, research will be up there so do it and do it well!
